Arizona silver belt., 1887-08-20

buzz of the saw mills Is heard no more and Victoria is the last stop where telegraph, mail and other civilized commodities are to be had. We had twelve hours to do Victoria, and there are many interesting features about it. The American faces, habits and commerce prevail in the majority. U. s. money accepted at par while En- glish and Canadian money IS discount ed, but about things pertaining to government and authority the English have it all, and don't you forget it. A good dry dock gives Victoria cOnsid- erable maritime importance, likewise the Hudson Bay Co.'s offices.
 July 26th we are going up the Gulf of Georgia, and find continuous line of picturesque islands, some small enough for only one tree and others twenty miles in length. Everybody has settled down for good the purser has issued the printed lists giving names and residences, and table places for all, and which serves as a general introduction to each other. We have three senators, including Vest, of Ms souri, and Cameron, of Pennsylvania, one governor, lotS of colonelS, many handsome ladies, the usual "English you know" and more fads who want to look English, our old Globe friend Devereux, the whole Sheppard family nee Miss Very Rich Vanderbilt, of New York, and over 200 small fry. All have become more social. I was entertaining dashing New York girl when a stupid neighbor interposed the irrevalent question, If I were mar- ried?" Some people never learn to use just the proper sauce for different side dishes.
 For days we meet new surprises in pretty sights and ever changing pan orama, something startling and grand every little while. We pass through long, narrow channels. barely wide enough for our boat, with fathomless deep water and so swift current we can make but slow headway. The ebb and flow of tides is immense here. The islands are covered with luxurious growth of timber, grass and moses, and from all the sleeper mountain sides rush pretty foam beat streams and cascades. We meet many Indians out fishing in quaint canoes, some 40 feet long, cut out of solid cedar trees; they race along, and when we stop they paddle around the Olymplan very much pleased at us. We pass close to Indian cemeteries, curously painted and ornamented with the long carved totem poles. Several government pa trol boats were met, but no other civ ilized craft. The Governor of Alaska and Rev. Sheldon Jackson, Supt. of Schools, boarded the OIympian from the government boat.
 Stopping at Juneau we visited the Indian camps, and all bcrght Indian cufios, etc., one New York man in vested $625 in furs and trinkets. Ju- neau has splendid business prospects and 1 intend to return next year and perhaps make some investments. We then crossed to Douglas Island, where the large 120 stamp Treadwell mill is laundering away, and 12O additional stamps are TOW being added. Further down the Boston and Alaska Co. has several hundred men erecting a 180 stamp quartz mill. The ore IS a close grey granite carrying pyrites, with both gold and silver, low grade, but in immense bodies. It is quarried off the hill side and cars take it direct to the stamps. The mill, etc., are very com plete, run by water, with five vanners and roasters; $75,O00 to S100,00O IS said to be the monthly clean up. Every body in trade at Juneau and Douglas does well, and plenty of work for all. Indians are worked and re- ceive two dollars, but miners get more. Our party beng distinguished people, Capt. Carroll consented to take us to Chilcat Bay, over 100 miles ont of his way, and the farthest north these steamers go, and from thence through Glacier Bay and back again to Sitka.
 The climate IS milder than thought, but very bracing and lnvigoratlng. The principal drawback is the almost continuous rain, and the dense forests make travel laborious and impossible, except on foot. We were fortunate in having fair weather most of the time. Alaska signifies in Indian language, ''Hhe Great Land 1" and truly so. In size It is larger than six of the best States in the United States. The Yukon river IS navigable for nearly 5000 miles, and 1000 miles from its mouth is stlll 20 miles wide and very deep. Colorado's highest peaks are 14,5OO feet and only 1000 feet of that above the adjacent country. Imaglne IL ILL n,L ( NIL En;u,rroo II. o.